Crews begin working to install restored bells at UNI's Campanile Photo: University of Northern Iowa
(Cedar Falls, IA) -- The University of Northern Iowa's Campanile bells are back on campus after being refurbished at an Ohio company. U-N-I is inviting students and the public to an event at 1 o'clock this afternoon to take pictures with the 46 bells before installation begins. The installation is expected to take several weeks. The public has not had an opportunity to see the bells this close since the Campanile was originally built in 1926.
Nine new bells will be included in the installation, to enable the carillon to expand its musical range.
“We are excited to celebrate the return of the bells with our entire campus community in May,” said UNI President Mark Nook. “Generations of UNI alums have fond memories and wonderful stories surrounding the Campanile.”
There are also plans for infrastructure improvements and a plaza redesign, after donations to the University's $250 million fundraising campaign, launched last fall. The campaign has raised $200 million for a wide range of projects and programs as well as updates to iconic spaces, such as the Campanile.
Donors can make a gift to support the Campanile renovation at ourtomorrow.uni.edu/campanile.
You can find more information about all the events planned for the week at ourtomorrow.uni.edu/bells.